To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

I
A SPECIAL REPORT SERIES BY THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, DIVISION OF
HEALTH SERVICES, STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS, P.O. BOX 2091, RALEIGH, N.C. 27602
W. C. DOCUMMf?*
APR «~ 100
N. C. STATE L£*MftY
RAiaQH
No. 43 March, 1987
THE HEALTH OF MINORITIES IN NORTH CAROLINA
by
Delton Atkinson
ABSTRACT
Using an array of health indicators on pregnancy, mortality and morbidity, this study depicts the health
status and health habits of minorities in North Carolina relative to whites over the past 1 years. Compared to
a decade ago, minorities are living longer and are healthier. Rates of infant and fetal death, pregnancy
( including teenage pregnancy), inadequate prenatal care, and general mortality have declined substantially. But
relative to whites, minorities continue to suffer illness and death disproportionately and this disproportionate
suffering has not been appreciably altered in the past decade. This suffering is an even greater problem among
younger than older minorities. The major contributors to the disproportionality are unintended pregnancies,
infant deaths, hypertension, diabetes, homicides, cancer (particularly prostate, stomach, cervical, and lung
cancers), accidents except motor vehicle, cerebrovascular disease, nephritis/nephrosis, and chronic liver
disease/cirrhosis. The causes of the health differentials appear to be multifactorial and are embedded in a
complex interaction of socioeconomic, health and other factors that is poorly understood for the general
population and even less so for minorities. Minimizing the longstanding disparities will require creative
thinking by the public health community.

I
A SPECIAL REPORT SERIES BY THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, DIVISION OF
HEALTH SERVICES, STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS, P.O. BOX 2091, RALEIGH, N.C. 27602
W. C. DOCUMMf?*
APR «~ 100
N. C. STATE L£*MftY
RAiaQH
No. 43 March, 1987
THE HEALTH OF MINORITIES IN NORTH CAROLINA
by
Delton Atkinson
ABSTRACT
Using an array of health indicators on pregnancy, mortality and morbidity, this study depicts the health
status and health habits of minorities in North Carolina relative to whites over the past 1 years. Compared to
a decade ago, minorities are living longer and are healthier. Rates of infant and fetal death, pregnancy
( including teenage pregnancy), inadequate prenatal care, and general mortality have declined substantially. But
relative to whites, minorities continue to suffer illness and death disproportionately and this disproportionate
suffering has not been appreciably altered in the past decade. This suffering is an even greater problem among
younger than older minorities. The major contributors to the disproportionality are unintended pregnancies,
infant deaths, hypertension, diabetes, homicides, cancer (particularly prostate, stomach, cervical, and lung
cancers), accidents except motor vehicle, cerebrovascular disease, nephritis/nephrosis, and chronic liver
disease/cirrhosis. The causes of the health differentials appear to be multifactorial and are embedded in a
complex interaction of socioeconomic, health and other factors that is poorly understood for the general
population and even less so for minorities. Minimizing the longstanding disparities will require creative
thinking by the public health community.